http://www.LeeBobBlack.com Lee Bob Black and Sophie Jaff reading fiction at KGB Bar, East Village, NYC, January 27, 2012, as part of the Paragraph member’s reading series. http://www.SophieJaff.com http://www.ParagraphNY.com http://www.KGBBar.com “Brown Triangular Pills.” He found the first pill in the back pocket of his blue jeans, and he instantly threw it down his gob. What did the pill represent? Was it supposed to enhance something, or weaken something? In a pocket of his jacket, he found another pill. This one was just like the first one: triangular and brown. What does that mean? And who the hell manufactures brown triangle pills? He swallowed it. He figured that these pills could be for his heart or for his blood, though their shape and color made this seem unlikely. Maybe they would augment his concentration, maybe they were vitamin supplements, or maybe they prevented something that would kill him if he didn’t take them. He had no idea!! He also didn’t know how these pills came to be in his pockets. He phoned Wanda. “Daniel,” she said, “those pills are for . . . for . . . they’re for . . . erectile function . . . I mean, erectile dysfunction. This is always hard for me to talk about, Daniel. It makes your erectile—I mean, it makes your erections function.” “I don’t have erectile dysfunction.” “Not since you’ve been taking those brown triangles,” Wanda said. “How do you know all this, and why do I not remember this?” “How did you know to phone me to find out?” They were silent for several moments. Eventually his sister said, “I’m the one who gets your prescriptions filled.” “When did you last fill this one?” “A month or two ago.” “Why?” “Because your penis doesn’t work.” “But it works.” “Because you take those pills, Daniel.” “Take these pills? I found two of them randomly in my pockets—” He stooped. Then he said, “Is this about denial?” “Of course,” she says. “But that’s only the beginning.” Written by Lee Bob Black. http://www.LeeBobBlack.com
